Sources for CAD software

[4GSR]

Place your ideal CAD program here for others to consider.

I'll start with the two I use, one of them on a daily bases, the other I'm still learning as I get a chance.

First one is Draftsight.  The only drawback is, you have to pay a annual fee to keep it active. Luckily, I got on it when it was still free to use, now I pay $150 a year to use it. For my part time business, it pays for itself.
It's modeled after AutoCAD Lite, most of it works just like Lite, which makes convenient for those moving over to a different platform.
The other CAD program I trying to learn is Fusion 360. The 2-D and 3-D world are different from each other.  Me, being a AutoCAD user for over 30 years, I'm having a heck of a time grasping and running with Fusion 360.
I have some training in Solidworks, but that is not a program I can afford to use.
Anyways, Lets us know what CAD software you use.
Stone tablet and chalk or tee square and triangles don't count.

[TerryWerm]

And what is wrong with a stone tablet? Instead of chalk I use a hammer and chisel. I get some exercise out of using it, and my drawings don't fall apart if they are accidentally left out in the rain. 

All kidding aside, I used to use my old favorite, Autodesk's QuickCAD Release 7 from back in 2000. It is 2D only. A couple of years later the same product got a new name, AutoSketch and I have version 9 from 2004. It does have some 3D tools that are a bit clunky but it works great for 2D work. Sadly I don't know anywhere that you can get it anymore. 

I am concerned that as Windows evolves I may not be able to use it any longer. Thankfully I can load a virtual machine for Windows 10 and run it just fine.

[Piggiron]

I use eMachine Shop (https://www.emachineshop.com/)
It's only 2D, but it's completely free and has has a ton of video tutorials.
It does have its limitations, but sometimes I use it to draw up parts and can see it in a 3D rendering to see if it looks like what I want.
I believe they also offer a better paid version.

[4GSR]

Terry,

You mention Autosketch. I have a copy of version 9 but it won't run on anything Windows 7 or later?, I think it is.  I have a old Compact laptop computer I have it installed on. And the only reason for that, I have a bunch of drawings files in Autosketch format that cannot be converted up to a *.dwg file any other way. So I do it on that old laptop. Which reminds me, I haven't finished the conversion process on those drawing files.  It's slow and just guessing about 200 files that need to be converted. 

[4GSR]

Jimmy,

I didn't open up the emachineshop CAD program. I deal with lots of parts and assemblies and this cloud based program would not work for me. I would end up with a flood of email quotes for machining the parts I would create and store on their cloud.  Of course, I may be wrong here IDK.  But definitely be good for that one or two parts needed here and there.

[Adasha_Machining]

I use fusion 360. I pay for the yearly subscription (about $650USD). I have become quite proficient with its 2D & 3D CAD, and 2 & 3 axis CAM. It was not very difficult to learn. There are several people who offer multi-part tutorials on YouTube to get a basic understanding of the 3D modelling. And NYC CNC has always done great tutorials on the CAM. My counterpart uses mastercam. I tried using it but can't get a grasp on it. I'm told it's far superior but I just haven't taken the time to learn it yet. I likely will as our mastercam was pirated and not $650 a year... although as a CNC machining business, $650 a year ain't much... I like fusion. It can be frustrating at times, but it's done everything I've needed so far.
AutoCAD still offers a free version for hobby and educational use, it's quite limited, but manageable.

[TerryWerm]

Terry,

You mention Autosketch. I have a copy of version 9 but it won't run on anything Windows 7 or later?, I think it is.  

I have it running on two different Windows 10 computers. It runs just fine on both, but really smokes on my laptop with gobs of RAM and a 2 TB SSD drive!  

[Piggiron]

I don't use their cloud based program, it's downloaded on my computer and I can save my drawing there as well. I could submit drawings for quotes if I choose, but never have. Files can be saved in a variety of different format extensions as well.

[34_40]

HMmmm..  I just use pencil and paper.   It's a mechanical pencil tho! LOL           Once I get the next shop setup I want to put in a dry erase board so I can do drawing on the fly as it were then simply wipe it away.  It works for me, I am not at the same level as you folks for sure.

[Adasha_Machining]

I use white boards alllll the time.

[34_40]

I use white boards alllll the time.

It seems a natural to me!  Instead of little slips of notepads and clipboards like I have now.  1 board at each machine to track the progress as it happens,  that should make me smile, LOL...  I don't want much. 

[Piggiron]

HMmmm..  I just use pencil and paper.   It's a mechanical pencil tho! LOL           Once I get the next shop setup I want to put in a dry erase board so I can do drawing on the fly as it were then simply wipe it away.  It works for me, I am not at the same level as you folks for sure.

Same level ?
I use CAD because my drawing skills stink (crap, now we need a skunk smiley. LOL)
Even my stick men look bad.

[4GSR]

Shawn, You will eventually want to invest into Mastercam.  But being a small as you are now, it's obvious you don't have time to learn it.  You'll probably have to hire someone with Mastercam knowledge to run it for you. As you get more CNC machines you will definitely need it.  Rather it be Mastercam or one of the other programs out there, it will help you in the long run.

[Adasha_Machining]

What's your reason for that, ken? Out of curiosity.
I find fusion to be fully capable - easier to program in some cases, as I have seen my employee, as well as my partner find themselves with odd, and inefficient tool paths that have sometimes broken cutters.
But, I digress. I chock that up to not being proficient enough in mastercam.

But again, I have access to mastercam, I just don't use it yet. 

[4GSR]

There's nothing wrong with not wanting to use it. I find it in use just about every where I've been over the years. I personally have no need for it nor how to use it.  Just saying. Getting too old to learn anything new.   Where's grampa with his cane emogy when you need it.